Markeshia Ricks Photo
Lindquist.
Six neighborhoods will learn two new words this summer and fall: “tactical urbanism.”
The hope is the term will help make their communities safer to bike and walk.
Acting city transit deputy Karla Lindquist told Westville/West Hills neighbors at a community management team meeting Wednesday night that the city is embarking on an active transportation master plan. Part of it will involve the creation of six “tactical urbanism” projects.
Lindquist described tactical urbanism as using low-cost materials such as flower planters and bollards to address minor transportation problems that can have significant impacts on a community.
TT&P is partnering with Community Alliance for Research and Engagement (CARE) to do the planning and the projects. The alliance, a collaborative research effort between Southern Connecticut State University and the Yale School of Public Health, aims to improve health in the Elm City. It focuses its efforts on the six low-income neighborhoods: Dixwell, Fair Haven, Hill North, Newhallville, and West River/Dwight.
Though the Westville/WestHills neighborhoods won’t be getting a project during this first phase, Lindquist said that neighbors from all over the city are welcome to contribute and volunteer to help. She also said future projects could come to other parts of the city. There will be a meeting at the Ives Branch of the New Haven Free Public Library in June when neighbors to weigh in.
Lindquist did have neighborhood-specific news to deliver Wednesday: The long-awaited, Edgewood two-way cycle track is awaiting state transportation department project authority to get started. That authorization could come as early as next week she said.
“We’re looking at construction starting after the end of school,” she said.